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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

PhD position AI for coral reefs

Mission

As a PhD student, you will investigate the potential of large-scale deep learning models, for constructing 3D models of coral reefs. This will require the design and development of scientific methodologies based on machine learning and photogrammetry for segmentation and 3D reconstruction from underwater videos acquired by consumer-grade cameras (e.g. GoPros). These efforts will contribute to the joint activities of the ECEO and LGB laboratories and the Transnational Red Sea Center of EPFL in the Red Sea and in Asia. 

Main duties and responsibilities

  • Design deep learning-based methodologies for the characterization of coral benthic classes in underwater videos
  • Integrate the advances in generic multi-modal foundation models into coral reef mapping pipelines
  • Join fieldwork missions for data acquisition
  • Write publications and attend conferences in both machine learning and marine science
  • Participate in the educational activities of the ENAC faculty.

 

Profile

  • You have a master’s degree in computer science, electrical or environmental engineering or equivalent
  • You are proficient in Python coding and experienced with machine learning and deep learning
  • You have diving experience with PADI certifications or a strong willingness to acquire them
  • You are fluent in English
  • You are motivated, curious, and willing to work in a highly dynamic team

We offer

  • An opportunity to develop a scientific career in an exciting area of science
  • Competitive remuneration and excellent educational conditions
  • A unique opportunity to learn high-end techniques and approaches
  • A multi-cultural and stimulating scientific environment, in the EPFL-Valais campus in Sion, Switzerland

How to apply

Please send the following application documents in the application portal (link can be found in the upper right corner of this page):

1.    A letter of interest (max. 2 pages)
2.    An updated CV 
3.    Contact details of 3 reference persons.
4.    Scans of your diplomas and grades from all academic institutions of higher education (after and not including high-school) listed in your CV. If you do not yet have your Master’s diploma, please send a certificate issued by your current institution of higher education that confirms your enrolment in a Master’s program).
5.    Copy of your passport or official identity document.
6.    A sample of your published work (if available), Master’s thesis or semester project.

     
Screening of the applications shall start on August 15th.

Informations

Contract Start Date : 10/01/2025 

Activity Rate : 100.00 

Contract Type: CDD

Duration: 1 year (candidacy examination) + up to 5 years after 

Reference: 1692 










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